Pregnancy Support
We team up with family doctors, obstetricians, and midwives to offer you the ultimate support during your pregnancy journey.
PREGNANCY AND INFANT HEALTH:
Congratulations on your pregnancy!
We work in collaboration with family doctors, obstetricians and midwives, to provide integrative, caring and respectful support during your pregnancy, postpartum and into what can be the challenging first few years of parenting. Our support includes the use of vitamins and minerals, herbal medicines, acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, prescriptive medications, massage, diet recommendations and lifestyle counselling. OAK also offers well-baby visits for infants (0-2 years).
PREGNANCY HEALTH:
During pregnancy and as your baby grows, your body and hormones start to change. OAK offers an invaluable source of support to help guide you through your 40 weeks of pregnancy.
**Acupuncture is safe in all stages of pregnancy when provided by a qualified practitioner with specialized perinatal acupuncture training. Dr. Emilie Salomons has specialized perinatal acupuncture training, and is also president of the Obstetrical Acupuncture Association.
Our prenatal care can help with:
Nausea & Vomiting
Heartburn/Acid Reflux
Spotting & Bleeding
Miscarriage Prevention/Recovery
Leg Spasms/Cramps
Migraines/Headaches
Body Pain (back, rib, pelvis, pubic symphysis)
Irritable Uterus
Varicose Veins, Hemorrhoids, Vulvar Varicosities
Sinusitis, Congestion, Allergies
Constipation
Anxiety
Depression
PTSD & Trauma
Anemia / Low Platelet Count
Breech Presentation
We also provide acupuncture for birth preparation (sometimes called cervical ripening acupuncture) starting at 36 weeks gestation.
Birth preparation acupuncture can help encourage optimal positioning of the baby for birth, it can decrease the need for medical inductions or help you prepare for one. In research, acupuncture has also been shown to reduce cesarean rates, reduce the need for pain medication and/or epidurals and decrease labor times, especially in first time mothers. Equally as important, acupuncture can help improve overall birth experience by addressing anxiety and supporting emotional and physical well being leading up to the birth.
POSTPARTUM:
Once the baby is born, your focus is understandably moved to the baby. Proper care and attention, however, still need to be placed on the shift that happens after birth to the physical body, mind, hormones and emotional health. The more care that is taken in the first few months postpartum, the stronger, healthier and quicker the recovery. Naturopathic medicine, Chinese medicine and acupuncture can help support this recovery.
Our postpartum care can help with:
'Mother Warming' & Immediate Postpartum Recovery
Cesarean Recovery
After Pains
Perineal Discomfort
Hemorrhoids
Prolapse
Anxiety & Stress
Postpartum Depression
Insufficient Lactation/Poor Milk Supply
Recurrent Mastitis
Trauma & Loss Support
INFANT HEALTH:
OAK offers well-baby visits for infants 0-2 years. These visits include thorough physical exams, developmental anticipatory guidance, nutritional guidance, and an opportunity to discuss any health concerns parents may have. If health concerns do arise, our naturopaths use a wide variety of natural therapies, and will prescribe conventional medications when required.
COMMON INFANT HEALTH CONCERNS:
Breastfeeding Issues
Fever Management
Cold & Flu Management
Nutritional Supplementation
Teething Support
Ear Infections
Cradle Cap
Food Sensitivities, Intolerances & Allergies
Colic
Constipation/Diarrhea
Diaper Rashes
Reflux
Our Chinese Medicine and Naturopathic Doctors can provide tailored treatment plans for patients suffering from recurrent yeast infection and/or bladder infections, threatened or recurrent miscarriages, post-loss support and general pregnancy preparation.